Turkey & Spinach Meatballs

This is a yummy lunch that is healthy and packed with great flavor! I keep forgetting to take a picture of my final results. It's just so good!

I make a batch of the meatballs. There are 4 servings so I can get 4 lunches out of this recipe. You can also freeze these meatballs well to save for later.

Here are the recipes...

For the Meatballs (Makes 4 Servings):

1 egg

16 oz ground turkey

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup panic bread crumbs

1/2 cup finely chipped kale or spinach leaves

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

What you do:

1. In a large bowl, lightly beat the egg.
2. Add the turkey, ricotta, garlic, bread crumbs, kale, basil, salt and pepper to the bowl.
3. Form the turkey mixture into approximately 20 small meatballs.
4. Coat a large nonstick saute pan liberally with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat.
5. Add the meatballs and brown on all sides, turning frequently.
6. In a medium pot, bring the marinara sauce to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add the meatballs and simmer until the meatballs are fully cooked at the center, about 15 minutes.

You can also omit adding the sauce and just bake the meatballs in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 20-25 minutes. This is what I do and then I add the meatballs to the sauce below when I'm ready to eat them. They warm up nicely in the microwave. 

For the Spinach Sauce (Makes 2 Servings):

2 tsp olive oil 

1-2 cloves garlic, minced

6 oz baby spinach leaves

1/2 marinara sauce (I like to use Rao's Tomato Basil)

1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

2 servings of the Turkey Meatballs

What you do:

1. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. 

2. Add the garlic and saute for 30 to 60 seconds. 

3. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. 

4. Divide the spinach evenly between two plates. Top each portion with 5 meatballs (and sauce) and 2 Tbsp. cheese. 

5. Microwave until the cheese is melted, about 30 seconds. 

Side note!

I usually just make the meatballs and store away what I don't use without adding the marinara sauce to them. I wait to add the marinara sauce to my spinach mixture right when I'm getting ready to eat this dish. If I'm just feeding myself this, I just split the Spinach Sauce recipe in half. 

It's quick and easy!